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WorksheetsCardiac Assessment
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 13mins
A patient’s physical assessment reveals crackles in the lungs, jugular vein distention, and a PAWP of 20 mmHg. Which alteration in cardiac output is most likely?
Decreased preload
Increased afterload
Decreased contractility
Increased preload
Which lab value is most indicative of reduced cardiac output in a patient with heart failure?
Elevated BNP
Decreased hemoglobin
Elevated creatinine
Decreased potassium
Which physical assessment finding suggests poor perfusion related to low cardiac output?
Capillary refill of 2 seconds
Cool, clammy skin
Warm, flushed extremities
Systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg
A patient with cardiogenic shock has a cardiac output of 2.5 L/min and BP of 85/50 mmHg. What is the priority nursing action?
Administer IV fluids.
Start norepinephrine.
Administer dobutamine.
Prepare for intubation.
A patient presents with a BP of 85/60 mmHg, HR 120 bpm, CVP 1 mmHg, and SvO₂ 50%. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Administer IV fluids.
Start norepinephrine.
Increase oxygen delivery.
Administer diuretics.
What does an elevated BNP level most commonly indicate?
Myocardial infarction
Decreased cardiac output
Fluid overload
Pulmonary embolism
What is the normal range for cardiac output (CO)?
2-4 L/min
4-8 L/min
6-10 L/min
8-12 L/min
Which interventions improve cardiac output? Select all that apply:
Administering inotropes
Starting fluid resuscitation
Administering vasodilators
Initiating beta-blockers immediately
Placing the patient in high-Fowler’s position
Which assessment findings indicate decreased perfusion? Select all that apply:
Decreased urine output
Confusion
Capillary refill of 1 second
Cyanosis
Cool extremities
Select all conditions associated with an elevated CVP:
Right-sided heart failure
Pulmonary hypertension
Hypovolemia
Tension pneumothorax
Fluid overload
Select all nursing interventions for a patient with a PAWP of 22 mmHg:
Administer IV diuretics
Restrict fluid intake
Start vasopressors
Monitor oxygen saturation
Position the patient in high-Fowler’s
Which patient findings require immediate intervention? Select all that apply:
CVP 1 mmHg
PAWP 24 mmHg
CO 2.0 L/min
BP 90/60 mmHg
HR 70 bpm
Select all goals of care for a patient with decreased cardiac output:
Improve oxygenation
Increase preload
Optimize afterload
Enhance contractility
Decrease heart rate
Which statement best describes the function of the coronary arteries?
They deliver oxygen-poor blood to the lungs
They deliver oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium
They remove waste products from the myocardium
They transport deoxygenated blood to the right atrium
During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the coronary arteries primarily fill?
Systole
Isovolumetric contraction
Diastole
Isovolumetric relaxation
A patient has a CVP of 2 mmHg. This finding most likely indicates:
Hypovolemia
Fluid overload
Cardiac tamponade
Pulmonary hypertension
In the formula CO = HR × SV, what does SV represent?
The amount of blood in the ventricles before contraction
The pressure the heart must overcome to eject blood
The total volume of blood pumped in one minute
The amount of blood ejected with each heartbeat
The resistance the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood is called:
Preload
Afterload
Contractility
Compliance
A nurse is preparing a patient for radial arterial line insertion. Which test should be performed first?
Bubble study
Allen test
Tinel’s test
Baroreceptor reflex test
A patient with an SvO₂ of 55% may have:
Decreased oxygen extraction
Increased oxygen delivery
Increased oxygen consumption or decreased delivery
Normal oxygen balance
Which complication is most urgent to address in a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter?
SVR of 1400
Catheter in wedge position
PAWP of 10 mmHg
CO of 3.2 L/min
What is the primary nursing action if an arterial line waveform becomes dampened?
Remove the arterial line immediately
Flush the line rapidly to restore the waveform
Notify the provider for emergent removal
Zero and level the transducer, check for kinks or air bubbles
The purpose of an arterial line includes all EXCEPT:
Continuous blood pressure monitoring
Frequent ABG sampling
Administration of vasoactive IV medications directly into the line
Accurate MAP measurement
A patient in cardiogenic shock with a PAWP of 20 mmHg is ordered 1 L of normal saline. What should the nurse do first?
Administer the fluids quickly
Question the order due to high preload
Reduce the patient’s afterload with nitroprusside
Obtain an ECG
You are monitoring a patient with a CVP of 12 mmHg, coarse crackles in the lungs, and SpO₂ of 88% on 4L O₂. Which is the priority nursing action?
Notify provider and prepare to give diureticsEncourage deep breathing exercises
Increase IV fluid rate
Encourage deep breathing exercises
Draw a lactate level
